License Statuses
- Active status- For licensees who are actively practicing professional counseling and/or marriage and family therapy in Oregon.
- Inactive status- For licensees not currently practicing in Oregon. No continuing education is required. See below for more info.
Non-Licensed Statuses
- Retired status- For licensees who have retired from the practice of professional counseling and/or marriage and family therapy in Oregon.
- Lapsed status- The license is lapsed due to non-renewal of the license. The person may not practice in Oregon.
Inactive Status
What is Inactive Status?
Beginning in October 2016, Licensees have the option to request that their license be placed on inactive status. The following conditions apply:
- Licensees who are on inactive status may not practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy in the State of Oregon.
- There is no continuing education (CE) required for those on or changing to inactive status, but note that it is required in order to reactivate.
- The fee to renew an inactive license is $180 per year. The fee to reactivate a license from inactive back to active status (in order to practice again) is $125.
- Licensees previously granted a non-practicing CE waiver will need to request inactive status at their next renewal; otherwise, CE requirements will apply.
- Licensees must indicate inactive status in representations to the public. Acceptable titles are "inactive licensed professional counselor" and "inactive licensed marriage and family therapist."
Note: Those not on inactive status are considered “active status” licensees.
How do I change to Inactive Status?
The simplest way is to make the change at your next renewal. The online renewal system will give you the option to select inactive status. The system will then charge you the reduced fee, and will not require you to report continuing education.
Alternatively, you may send your written request to 3218 Pringle Road SE, Ste. 120, Salem, OR 97302 or to
lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov. Note that the Board cannot refund any difference in fees when you change status prior to your renewal.
How do I reactivate my license?
Reactivation means to change from inactive to active status. Your license must be reactivated by the Board before you begin to practice again. To be reactivated, the following conditions apply:
- You must document completion of continuing education (CE) activities which at a minimum meet the requirements described in OAR Chapter 833, Division 80 within the 24 month period immediately preceding the requested date of reactivation. In other words, the normal CE requirements for renewal apply, and must be completed within the previous 24 months.
*** Even if you are a new licensee, the CE requirement still applies for reactivation.***
- If your license has been inactive for more than five years, you will need to also complete and submit the Law and Rules Exam.
- A reactivation fee applies.
- Reactivating between renewals means you will be required to complete a prorated amount of CE for the date of reactivation through the end of your CE reporting period. Your notice will indicate the necessary hours.
How to request reactivation:
- Reactivation may be requested as part of your license renewal in the Licensee Portal. You may request a status change from inactive to active status.
- If you wish to reactivate prior to your next license renewal, you will need to log in to the Licensee Portal and select "Reactivate License" from the left side menu. Go through the steps and submit your request.
- For either method, the Board will send a notice indicating approval, or notify you if there is anything missing or incomplete.
- Please visit our Portal Webpage if you experience issues with the Licensee Portal.
How do I retire my license?
- You may request retirement status in the Licensee Portal as part of your renewal; or
- Licensees, in good standing, may retire their license by sending an email to lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov.